The Pirates menace

Its become an especially big menace of late with 7 successful attacks in 12 days by Somali pirates with the ultimate piss take being the abduction of a supertanker some 500 miles out to sea as well as the abduction of a Unkranian vessel carrying plenty of military hardware.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that it is crazy that a tanker that had $200,000,000 worth of Oil onboard had such lax (if it had it at all) security. Surprising that the Captain actually set sail with such inadequate protection.

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

1) Had double pneumonia as a kid, as did my twin sis. Doctors told my parents to pray that we lived through the night. Dad said **** off, I'm an atheist, you ****s better save my kids, etc. Then prayed anyway.

'....wonders when geeks are going to start dressing as somalian seafarers. Don't romanticise the past and condemn the present'

Quite apt for me.

"All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher." - Ambrose Bierce

Langeveldt: I of course blame their parents.. and unchecked immigration!GingerFurball: He's Austrian, they tend to produce the odd ****ed up individualBurgey: Be careful dealing with neighbours whose cars don't have wheels but whose houses do.Uppercut: Maybe I just need better strippers

As far as I know, international law prohibits commercial ships from carrying armament. Remnant from the Lusitania-era, I bet.

In any case, that law doesn't make sense in this case. I think they ought to be able to defend themselves. Considering the value of the cargo, it seems ludicrous that a bunch of thugs in a speedboat can take over an entire tanker.

Originally Posted by KungFu_Kallis

Peter Siddle top scores in both innings....... Matthew Wade gets out twice in one ball

Not really, because then you could have a free for all on the high seas.. I guess in the short term, find an alternate route,and pass the expenses onto the consumer.. although I guess they need to go around Somalia to get to the Suez canal.. Having armed ships would be like carrying a gun in your car because of car jackers..

Last edited by Langeveldt; 19-11-2008 at 01:47 PM.

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

Don't like using my iPod dock. Ruins battery life too much.

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Thanks Dick Smith. Will remember to subscribe to your newsletter for more electronic fun facts.

"The PFA does not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-football matters."- Gordon Taylor in 2009 following Marlon King's release after a prison sentence for sexual assault & ABH

Not really, because then you could have a free for all on the high seas.. I guess in the short term, find an alternate route,and pass the expenses onto the consumer.. although I guess they need to go around Somalia to get to the Suez canal.. Having armed ships would be like carrying a gun in your car because of car jackers..

Alternate route around Africa would be hugely expensive.

It's not like keeping guns in your car - it'd be like having armed protection when transporting cash from a bank vault across the country. It makes sense. Chances are, no one gives a crap about specifically planning to rob you. On the other hand, many people would love to take in a ransom for cargo worth $100,000,000 plus 30-40 people.

Heard on the radio this morning that the Indian navy had sunk a pirate vessel. It was quite amusing and yet sad at the same time to hear the Captain (afaik) make it absolutely clear that these guys fired first and they only fired in self defence.I'd put a shot across the bow before trying to talk to these ****ers.

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